I am so excited for my upcoming trip to Austin I have compiled all the regular research channels that I check into one massive guide.

VIA

What are your favorite spots?

 

Design Camp Austin Interior Designer Weekend Getaway via

If you’re tired of watching Bravo’s Real Housewives  have all the fun on weekend getaways,  grab your friends and hit up Design Camp Austin for two days of learning, designing and connecting. Then spend two more days tackling our list of must do things in Austin with your new friends from camp.

1. Brunch at Perla’s Seafood & Oyster Bar

 

Perla’s was founded in the Spring of 2009 by chefs Lawrence McGuire and Thomas Moorman Jr. with the goal of bringing ultra-fresh oysters and premium seafood to bustling South Congress Avenue. Perla’s features fish and oysters flown in daily from both coasts with an emphasis on the freshest catch from the Gulf of Mexico and simple, clean preparations.

2.  Lunch at the Four Seasons, after a walk around beautiful Town Lake

 

 

 

 

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner,  TRIO restaurant in downtown Austin pairs Texas grill favourites with delicious wines and a beautiful outdoor terrace. The Lobby Lounge,  often referred to as “Austin’s living room, ” features live music and freshly shaken specialty cocktails.

3.  Steak Dinner at III Forks or  Eddie V’s

 

 

III Forks steakhouse offers Austin a sophisticated club-like ambiance with an elegant bar and lounge. The inviting foyer greets you with an array of fine wines – over 500 selections in the spectacular walk-in wine room.

 

 

Eddie V’s Restaurants, Inc. is setting the standard for fine dining, featuring three award-winning concepts that focus on only using the very best quality ingredients, combined with an exciting atmosphere and staff that is dedicated to every detail.  We look forward to welcoming you at one of our many Eddie V’s or Wildfish restaurants.

4.  Sushi at Uchi or Uchiko

 

 

Contemporary Japanese Dining and Sushi

 

 

Japanese Farmhouse Dining and Sushi

5. Adventurous (get on the bar!) Dining at East Side Showroom 

 

 

East Side Showroom

The East Side Showroom is not just a family owned restaurant and bar, but a \”Showroom\” for the arts in all its delightful diversity

6. Bowling at Highball

 

 

It’s like nothing else in Austin, featuring delicious food and cocktails, eight lanes of bowling with rental by the hours, seven themed, private karaoke rooms that will leave you hoarse for days.

7. Bourbon at Ten Oak

 

 

The large selections of specialty cocktails are sure make you feel like a kid again. With delicious and surprising concoctions such as the Bourbon Bacon Milkshake, Pop-rock-tini and Honey Nut Martini it’s like childhood, but with alcohol. tenOak features a full menu of Southern favorites including house specialties, such as Braised Pulled Pork Sliders, Mac and Triple Cheese, and Original House-Stuffed Hamburgers.

8. Dancing at Cedar Street

 

 

Discover why Austin is the Music Capital of the World! Cedar Street serves up live music seven nights a week. From the best local talent to the hippest national groups to rockin’ cover bands, Cedar Street will undoubtedly entertain.

9. Cocktails at Paggi House,  La Condesa and Bottecellis

 

 

Recognized as one of the best local spots for patio dining, Paggi House is an iconic Austin restaurant, as well as a historic landmark dating back to the 1840s. Nestled in a grove of live oak trees along West Riverside Drive near South Lamar Boulevard, the restaurant overlooks Lady Bird Lake with a stunning view of the downtown skyline, featuring the city’s most impressive and expansive patio where guests gather for great cuisine, happy hour, and cocktail lounging.

 

 

La Condesa also features the largest selection of tequila in Austin and a craft bar program overseen by Cocktail World Cup champion Nate Wales.

 

 

Botticelli’s South Congress is a fun and tasty Italian Restaurant located on South Congress Ave.  We serve fresh and delicious Italian food combining old family recipes with new, inventive ones.  Andrew and Matt Botticelli are the proud owners and are made even more proud by the food Botticelli’s delivers and the incredible staff that surrounds them.  We have both an intimate Italian Trattoria in the front and an incredible beer garden out back.  Live, local music graces the beer garden Thursday through Saturday.

10. Shopping at Gallery D

 

 

Located in the heart of downtown Austin,  Gallery D first opened the doors to its beautiful space on 2nd Street in March of 2009, during Austin’s acclaimed South by Southwest music festival. Austinites and visitors to the Austin area come to Gallery D for its thoughtfully edited mix of contemporary clothing and accessory lines, all at an affordable price point. Owners Emily Keast and Beth Newill work to create a high-end shopping experience at Gallery D, while recognizing that the girls who love Gallery D also love music, dining out and traveling (just like them)! They want their customers to be able to shop at Gallery D and still be able to afford all of the other things that they love in life.  Gallery D strives to provide its shoppers with an ensemble for every occasion, whether it’s a music festival or a night on the town.

11. Lady Bird Lake

 

 

If you’re looking for a pleasant, mostly flat, walk with several excellent views of downtown Austin and Lady Bird Lake, then Lady Bird Lake will fit the bill.

11.  Mani Pedi at Cindy Day Spa

 

 

Visit Cindy Day Spa for the ultimate hands and feet pampering. Manicures and Pedicure styles  include: salon, deluxe, ultra, supreme, French American Polish and gel.

12.  Massage at the W Hotel

AWAY is located on the 4^th floor of W Austin.  You don’t have to be a hotel guest to take advantage of AWAY’s sensational spa services.  All spa guests receive complimentary valet parking at the W Austin.  Away is an escape within an escape, where the whirlwind of W winds down, and AWAY means a disappearing act from the everyday into an insider scene of surprising sensations. It’s a great place to delightfully detox after the after party.

The best part … is it counts as research for your business!!!   Get ready to be inspired and have A BLAST at Design Camp Austin!!

 

Fab search tips HERE

• Giada's Weekend Getaways via the Food Network

• Black's BBQ

  215 N. Main Street

  Lockhart,  TX 78644

  512-398-2712

  www.blacksbbq.com

• Barton Springs Pool

  2101 Barton Springs Road

  Austin,  TX

  (512) 867-3080

  www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/bartonsprings.htm

• Congress Bridge Restaurants

  200 Congress Ave.

  Austin,  TX 78716

  512-291-1162

  www.austincityguide.com/content/congress-bridge-bats-austin.asp

• Jeffrey's of Austin

  1204 West Lynn

  Austin,  TX 78703

  512-477-5584

  www.jeffreysofaustin.com

• The Broken Spoke

  3201 S. Lamar Blvd

  Austin,  TX 78704

  512-442-6189

  www.brokenspokeaustintx.com

• South Congress Cafe

  1600 South Congress Ave

  Austin,  TX 78704

  512-447-3905

  southcongresscafe.com

• Yard Dog Art Gallery

  510 S Congress Ave

  Austin,  TX

  (512) 912-1613

  www.yarddog.com

• Amy's Ice Cream

  1301 South Congress Ave.

  Austin,  TX 78704

  512-851-2697

  www.amysicecream.com

• 1886 Cafe & Bakery at The Driskill Hotel

  614 E. Sixth Street

  Austin,  TX 78701

  512-391-7066

  www.1886cafeandbakery.com/

• Auditorium Shores

  950 W Riverside Dr

  Austin,  TX

• Capital Pedicabs

  (512)-448-2227

  www.capitalpedicab.com

• TRIO at Four Seasons Hotel

  98 San Jacinto Blvd

  Austin,  TX 78701

  512-478-4500

  www.fourseasons.com/austin/dining/

   

   

  Via Design Sponge – great travel guides

  • Bow and Arrow: A great little clothing store for men and women that shares a joining space with Spartan.
  • Stag:. A well edited menswear clothing store that is perfectly designed and merchandised.
  • Feathers: A fun selection of vintage clothing and accessories. You are sure to find something.
  • Spartan: a well-edited mix of gift/paper/travel/housewares. Spartan also offers registry services.
  • Finch: as one Yelp-er put it, “If you like the aesthetic of Dwell magazine and Design*Sponge, you’ll fall in love with Finch.”
  • Aviary: incredible home decor and accessories (vintage and modern).
  • Uncommon Objects: it might be a major crime not to have this first on the list. Uncommon Objects is an Austin institution carrying antiques, furniture, clothing, accessories and more. The common answer to questions about this store is “Just Go”.
  • Room Service Vintage: some of austin’s finest vintage furniture.
  • Gardens Austin: Mouth watering home, garden and lanscape architecture goods. Great stuff, expensive though.
  • Wildflower: a great bed, bath and home store with organic everything from around the world.
  • Big Red Sun: stunning (stunning) collection of furniture and home accessories. Great outdoor and garden goods, too.
  • Mercury Design Studio: A major must-visit with a mind-blowing collection of vintage accessories and furniture, as well as contemporary gifts. They offer design services as well. Really, a must-visit for anyone heading to Austin.
  • Eliza page: Great jewelry and accessories with a lot of local artists.
  • Tops: a great resource for old metal desks, lockers, file cabinets and chairs from offices and schools.
  • By George: One of the prettiest stores I have been in for clothing. Beautiful things.
  • Eco Wise: sustainable home /body store. Organic matresses, dishwashers…
  • Underwear: great undergarments
  • Cush Cush: Great upholstery fabric (lot’s of vintage blots too!). By appt only.
  • Fanny’s: Upholstery Fabric that is locally owned and has a good selection.
  • Service: for the boys. Good simple clothes.
  • La Luz: a great store with vintage home goods. Really good furniture.
  • The Paper Place: great gift store. Stationery as well.
  • IF+D: all things contemporary furniture and home decor. Great selection of lighting and artwork.
  • Toy Joy: for the little ones and adults. Awesome toys and gadgets. Locally owned and an Austin Favorite.
  • Progress– It’s a coffee place but they always have great art on the wall for sale.
  • Hill Country Weavers: textiles, thread, craft supplies and much, much more.
  • Kickpleat: Alyson’s favorite clothing store.
  • Ten Thousand Villages: wide range of personal and home accessories with a “world” flair.
  • Azzia: modern/contemporary furniture.
  • Four Hands Home: traditional, solid furniture if you’re in the market for something a little less contemporary.
  • Nest Modern: modern furniture and home accessories.
  • MOSS– a designer consignment store opened by the owners of the popular Feathers boutique.
  • Dog and Pony– a new boutique with vintage finds as well as new things. Close to UT campus.

  Museums:

  • AMOA: Austin Museum of Art always has great shows.
  • Blanton Museum of Art: The Blanton is the largest College Art Museum in the Nation. Beautiful space and a great collection.
  • Women and Their Work: A space dedicate to showing women’s work. Group and solo shows.
  • Art House– it recently reopened ( much anticipated)  and it is a really beautifully designed space by the LTL design team.

  Where to Eat:

  • The Good Knight: A fun bar/restaurant.
  • Enoteca: Yummy Italian Food. Great Brunch on the weekends.
  • Thai Fresh: Great Thai plus cooking classes available.
  • Food Heads: Delicious sandwiches, salads and soups.
  • Eastside Showroom: Food, drinks and music.
  • Justines: Perfect French food in a great old house. I love it, but it is very popular so be prepared.
  • Enchiladas y Mas: I’m told by several people who eat meat that they have the the best Beef Fajitas ever.
  • Wink: A nice restaurant that has an ever changing menu. They also have a separate bar adjacent to the restaurant.
  • Amy’s Ice cream : A local favorite for creamy yummy ice cream.
  • The Steeping Room: Great healthy food in the Domain ( outside Mall). The best coconut tea!
  • Whip In: Live music a couple times a week and delicious breakfast and lunch sandwiches on naan.
  • Taco Deli: Fresh tacos. Really yummy green salsa.
  • Torchy’s Tacos: Good Taco’s with fun names.
  • Hey Cupcake: Big yummy cupcakes.
  • Counter Culture: Vegan and raw foods served from a trailer. Love it.
  • Uchi: Great Sushi
  • Casa De Luz: Alyson’s favorite. A Macrobiotic well being center. Pizza and mexican night are the best and Sunday Brunch.
  • Polvo’s: great Mexican
  • Vespaio: Italian food
  • 34th street cafe: wonderful sandwiches and soups!
  • Eastside Cafe: great fresh menu with many organic items and fresh herbs from their home garden
  • Davine Foods: All veggie place that is so healthy and delicious.
  • Lamberts: A great alternative to traditional bar-b-cue. Great side dishes.
  • Starlite Cafe: great brunch and yummy hashbrowns
  • south congress cafe: yummy brunch.
  • Koriente: Great Asian Food
  • Quacks Bakery: Best vegan treat I have had in a long time: Chocolate covered brownie.
  • Cocina de consuelo: Best breakfast tacos
  • House Pizzeria: They have a roasted potato pizza that is to die for.
  • El Chile: Good food, fun space and I love the salsa.
  • Red House Pizza: A fun bar with great pizza.
  • Fino- they have a fun outside patio and good food.
  • Mohawk bar– fun space, music  and lot’s of local things happening there.
  • Spartan Pizza– Yummy- with great toppings. In a trailer
  • Perlas– a seafood and oyster bar. When the weather is nice the patio is hard to beat.
  • Homeslice pizza– Can you tell I like pizza? THey have a great thing going here.
  • Hopdoddy– incredible hamburgers. really. A great veggie burger and locally sourced meat.
  • Haddingtons– great cocktails and food.
  • Mulberry- a wine bar with really tasty tapas and food.
  • Tacos and Tequila– a hearty weekend brunch.

   

  via The New York Times – 36 hours…This is a great book too.

  

  Get it HERE!

  36 Hours in Austin, Tex.

   

  

  Erich Schlegel for The New York Times

  At the Broken Spoke. More Photos »

  THE city’s unofficial motto, “Keep Austin Weird, ” blares from bumper stickers on BMWs and jalopies alike, on T-shirts worn by joggers along Lady Bird Lake and in the windows of independently owned shops and restaurants. It’s an exhortation for a city that clings to eccentricity, even in the face of rapid development — downtown Austin, for one, is being transformed with a fleet of high-rise condos and a W Hotel, scheduled to open late next year. But this funky college town, known for its liberal leanings and rich music scene, has little to worry about — at least as long as its openhearted citizens, with their colorful bungalows and tattoos, do their part to keep the city endearingly odd. As one local put it: “As long as Austinites keep decorating their bodies and cars, we’re going to be fine.”

  Friday

  4 p.m.
  1) DRESS THE PART

  If you forgot to pack your Western wear, make a beeline for Heritage Boot (117 West Eighth Street; 512-326-8577; www.heritageboot.com), where Jerome Ryan and his team of “boot elves” fashion fanciful boots out of exotic leathers like shark and caiman alligator, using vintage 1930s to ’60s patterns. With colorful stitching, hand-tooling and puffy, butterfly-shaped inlays, they’re instant collectors’ items — and priced accordingly, from $295 to $1, 800. Next, stop by the new location of Cream Vintage (1714-A South Congress Avenue; 512-462-3000;www.creamvintage.com) for vintage Western shirts and weathered concert tees, customized to your dimensions by an on-site tailor.

  6:30 p.m.
  2) MEAT MECCA

  Barbecue is a local sport and there are a lot of competing choices. For a classic pit experience — meaning you can smell the smoke and sauce as soon as you pull into the state-fair-size parking lot — drive 25 miles southwest to the Salt Lick(18300 Farm to Market Road 1826, Driftwood; 512-858-4959;www.saltlickbbq.com), settle into a communal picnic table and order the $18.95 all-you-can-eat platter, piled high with brisket, ribs and sausage. If you prefer to stay in downtown Austin, check out the newcomer Lambert’s Downtown Barbecue (401 West Second Street; 512-494-1500; www.lambertsaustin.com). Carved out of a brick-walled general store that dates from 1873, it is raising the bar (and provoking outrage among purists) with its newfangled “fancy barbecue” — think brown-sugar-and-coffee-rubbed brisket ($14) and maple-and-coriander-encrusted pork ribs ($16).

  8 p.m.
  3) CULTURAL ANCHOR

  Just off the south shore of Lady Bird Lake is the world-class Long Center for the Performing Arts (701 West Riverside Drive; 512-457-5100;www.thelongcenter.org), opened in early 2008 after an epic $80 million fund-raising effort. It has one of the largest, most acoustically perfect stages in Texas, home to the Austin Symphony,  Austin Lyric Opera and Ballet Austin. There’s also a smaller black box theater spotlighting local musicians, improv troupes and theater companies. Even if you don’t attend a performance, it’s worth stopping by for a glimpse of the glittering skyline views from the building’s front terrace.

  Saturday

  10 a.m.
  4) BIKE STRONG

  Explore the city at a leisurely pace by renting a bicycle from Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop (400 Nueces Street; 512-473-0222; www.mellowjohnnys.com), opened by Lance Armstrong, a native son, in May 2008. In addition to selling and renting bikes (from $20 for four hours), the shop stocks accessories like wicker baskets, Chrome messenger bags and colorful racing jerseys. An adjacent cafe serves protein smoothies and organic coffee. If you ask, staff members will chart an appealing route along Austin’s 20 miles of urban hike-and-bike trails.

  1 p.m.
  5) LUNCH ON THE GO

  Some of Austin’s best grub can be found in parking lots and vacant lots, dished out of Airstreams and food trucks by both amateur and professional chefs. You’ll find them all on www.austinfoodcarts.com, but here’s your shortlist: tarragon mushroom crepes with goat cheese ($6.75) at Flip Happy Crepes (400 Jessie Street; 512-552-9034; www.fliphappycrepes.com); slow-roasted green chili pork tacos ($3.25 each) at Torchy’s Tacos (1311 South First Street; 512-366-0537;www.torchystacos.com); and the hot, crunchy chicken-and-avocado “cone” with coleslaw and mango aioli ($5.95) at Mighty Cone (1600 South Congress Avenue; 512-383-9609; www.mightycone.com).

  3 p.m.
  6) VINYL TO DUCKS

  South Congress is an appealing neighborhood for window-shopping, or shopping-shopping. Pick up rare and collectible vinyl, from 99 cents to $1, 000, at Friends of Sound (1704 South Congress Avenue; 512-447-1000; www.friendsofsound.com), down an alley off the main drag. Quirky souvenirs, like a duck decoy ($28) or antique beaver top hat ($95), abound at Uncommon Objects (1512 South Congress Avenue; 512-442-4000; www.uncommonobjects.com), a sprawling emporium with a flea market aesthetic.

  7:30 p.m.
  7) BATS!

  Early spring through late fall, the Congress Avenue Bridge hosts a Halloween-worthy spectacle: at dusk, more than a million Mexican free-tailed bats pour out from under the bridge and head east to scavenge for insects. The best spot for viewing the exodus is from the park at the southeastern end of the bridge, so you can see their flitting forms backlit by the glowing sky. To hear an estimate of the bats’ flight time on a particular evening, dial the bat hot line, operated by The Austin American-Statesman newspaper and Bat Conservation International (512-416-5700, extension 3636).

  8:30 p.m.
  8) FRENCH CONNECTION

  There’s something almost Felliniesque about driving down a dark road lined with industrial warehouses, and stumbling onto Justine’s (4710 East Fifth Street; 512-385-2900; www.justines1937.com), a new, pitch-perfect French bistro. Outside, a family plays pétanque on the driveway; inside, groups of friends and couples sit on Thonet chairs at candlelit cast-iron-and-marble cafe tables, as a turntable, manned by the owner, Pierre Pelegrin, plays old jazz and reggae tunes. With atmosphere this good, the meal — Parisian comfort food, and delicious — is just a bonus. Order the duck confit ($15) or the steak frites with pepper sauce ($18).

  10 p.m.
  9) PERFORMANCE ANXIETY

  The sheer quantity and variety of music in Austin on any given night can be daunting. Step one: consult Billsmap.com, which lists every gig in the city, highlights recommendations and includes links to previous performances on YouTube. Two spots that reliably deliver a good time are the Broken Spoke, an old-time honky-tonk dance hall (3201 South Lamar Boulevard; 512-442-6189;www.brokenspokeaustintx.com), and the retro red-walled Continental Club (1315 South Congress Avenue; 512-441-2444; www.continentalclub.com), which dates from 1957 and has roots, blues, rockabilly and country music.

  Sunday

  10 a.m.
  10) TAKE A DIP

  Wake up with a bracing swim in the natural, spring-fed Barton Springs Pool (2101 Barton Springs Road; 512-476-9044;www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/bartonsprings.htm), a three-acre dammed pool that maintains a steady 68-degree temperature year-round. There’s sunbathing (sometimes topless) on the grassy slopes, a springy diving board and century-old pecan trees lining its banks. Then, park yourself on the patio at the new Perla’s Seafood & Oyster Bar (1400 South Congress Avenue; 512-291-7300;www.perlasaustin.com) for a decadent lobster omelet ($16) and an oyster shooter spiked with rum and honeydew ($7).

  2 p.m.
  11) EXPLORE OUTSKIRTS

  Hill Country beckons to the west and south of Austin, with rolling limestone hills, wildflower-filled meadows and dozens of wineries. Get a closer look by driving 30 minutes to Bastrop State Park (3005 Highway 21 East, Bastrop; 512-321-2101; www.tpwd.state.tx.us/bastrop), for a hike along the 8.5-mile Lost Pines Trail, which takes you past a creek and a toad pond, and through rock outcroppings, mini-gorges and wooded ravines filled with oaks and loblolly pines. Channel your inner cowboy, especially if you’re breaking in new boots.

  THE BASICS

  American, Continental and JetBlue fly into Austin from many major cities; a flight from Kennedy Airport in New York in early December on JetBlue runs about $300. Public transportation is lacking — though a light rail is planned — so you’ll need a car or bike to explore the city.

  An appealing home base is the lively and pedestrian-friendly South Congress neighborhood. Hotel Saint Cecilia (112 Academy Drive; 512-852-2400; www.hotelsaintcecilia.com), which opened last winter, has nine modern studios and bungalows, and five rooms in a converted Victorian house, starting at $275.

  More affordable are the 40 rooms at the Hotel San José (1316 South Congress Avenue; 512-852-2350; www.sanjosehotel.com), which are airy and simply adorned with Indian bedspreads and framed vintage concert posters. Doubles with shared bath from $95; doubles with private baths from $160.

  Nearby is the year-old Kimber Modern Hotel (110 The Circle; 512-912-1046;www.kimbermodern.com), where six minimalist rooms, from $250, open onto a hammock-strung patio shaded by a giant Texas live oak tree.

  This article has been revised to reflect the following correction:

  Correction: December 13, 2009

  
  

  The 36 Hours column on Nov. 29, about Austin, Tex., misidentified an area of limestone hills, meadows and wineries west and south of the city. It is Hill Country; it is not Hill County, which is north of Austin.

  
  

   

  Local's Guide to Austin via Southern Living

  

  Writer Jennifer McKenzie Frazier in front of Roadhouse Relics, which like many food joints is housed in an Airstream trailer

  Robbie Caponetto

  Click to Enlarge

  Fresh Seafood
  When Perla’s Seafood and Oyster Bar first opened last spring, the South Congress ’hood wondered if an oyster place would make it in a Tex-Mex town. Make it? Perla’s made the biggest food splash since the trailer tacos phenomenon. The freshest catch is flown in daily and served under giant oaks out front. perlasaustin.com

  Fashion-Forward
  A store that sells only black items may sound depressing. Au contraire. Blackmail Boutique on South Congress is a perfect example of Austin style. From rock-and-roll T-shirts to vintage cowboy boots to, yes, the little black dress, this place shows off a stylish, monochromatic color palette. blackmailboutique.com

  Local Drinks
  Most people think of margaritas. I, however, lean toward the “Fire in the Hole” at Ranch 616. It’s a freshly cored jalapeño filled with equal parts Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Paula’s Texas Orange Liqueur, and fresh lime juice. Chase it with a Lone Star beer. theranch616.com

  “Fast Food”
  Airstream cuisine. That’s what we call fast food in Austin. Retrofitted Airstream trailers parked all over the city’s south side sell everything from crepes and waffles to cheeseburgers and Korean bulgogi. The king and queen of this movable feast are Hey Cupcake! and Torchy’s Tacos. heycupcake.com; torchystacos.com

  Cool Neigborhoods 
  The enclave you might not know of is called Clarksville. It’s within earshot of the Whole Foods Market company headquarters and Book People but enough streets away to feel tucked-in. Have a milk shake at Nau’s Enfield Drug Store, a hand-tossed pizza at Cipollina, or a candle-lit dinner at Jeffrey’s—all on West Lynn Avenue. Then hit the 4.6-mile Shoal Creek Hike and Bike Trail. historicclarksville.org

  Local Music
  Best Classic Venue: The Broken Spoke has been here forever. It’s even listed in European travel guides. Catch live music, or take country and western dancing lessons. Owner James White is a local icon. brokenspokeaustintx.com

  Best New Voice: The hoarse-voiced Ryan Bingham is a former rodeo bull-rider turned Oscar-winning songwriter (for the song “The Weary Kind” from the film Crazy Heart). And he’s not even 30 years old. Download: “Country Roads”

  Best Festival: Austin City Limits Music Festival. The lauded South by Southwest is overrun by industry insiders, so we say the diverse ACL fest is tops. The downtown festival is held in Zilker Park in October. aclfestival.com

  Best Recording Shop: Waterloo Records and Video on North Lamar. These audiophiles know everything about Austin music. waterloorecords.com

  
  

  
  

  Insider’s Guide to Austin via Southern Living

  

  Hotel San Jose

  Gary Clark

  Click to Enlarge

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  I fell in love with Austin the first time I came here. That’s why I went to the University of Texas. It’s why Willie Nelson sings my ring tone. This music town embraces everyone―from eclectic musicians to buttoned-up legislators to cowboys to hippies. Here are my must-dos in Texas’s capital city and their opposites―attractions that really show Austin’s diverse appeal.

  Uchi
  Go at 5 p.m. to this sushi bar and you might just catch a coveted table on the fly. Dinner reservations are a good idea later in the evening. Chef Tyson Cole combines flavors in amazing ways–think seared scallops with watermelon radish and shrimp with lime, fennel, and fiddlehead ferns. That kind of artistry is fitting for this creative town.www.uchiaustin.com or (512) 916-4808

  The Flip Side: Austin Land & Cattle Company
  Sure, you can order the seared ahi tuna here, but for a true taste of Texas, choose an aged steak and one of the six sauces designed to complement your 8-ounce filet mignon or 28-ounce porterhouse.www.austinlandandcattlecompany.com or (512) 472-1813

  Kerbey Lane Cafe
  Start your day at this local diner–the legendary pancakes are hot, fluffy, and unique. (Try the gingerbread.) Not only has Kerbey Lane won awards for their breakfast, they claim that they’ve made enough pancakes to stretch from Austin to Denver, 830 miles away. Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. www.kerbeylanecafe.com or (512) 451-1436

  The Flip Side: Roppolo’s Pizzeria
  End the night here, where you can order a cheesy slice from a street-side window after hanging out in some of Sixth Street’s hot spots. www.roppolos.com

  Hula Hut
  This is my family’s first stop in town. Order the fajitas–either cooked in local Shiner Bock beer or spicy Thai-style. You’ll enjoy the views of Lake Austin while you wrap your mind around the delicious fusion of “Mexonesian” cuisine.www.hulahut.com or (512) 476-4852

  The Flip Side: Bess Bistro on Pecan
  Sandra Bullock’s New American restaurant combines the best of the American South and European mainstays. Look for ratatouille, shrimp and grits, and fried green tomatoes. www.bessbistro.com or (512) 477-2377

  Toy Joy
  Adults might have more fun in this toy store than children. Pick up a punching nun, some Chick-O-Sticks in the candy section, a stuffed armadillo purse, or a lava lamp. www.toyjoy.com or (512) 320-0090

  The Flip Side: Austin Museum of Art Museum Store
  After visiting AMOA, pop in to take home stylish jewelry, art books, and more.www.amoa.org or (512) 477-0766

  Big Red Sun
  This garden design company believes in keeping the gate open. Here, design is always evolving, and that’s why the bohemian store with a great plant selection continues to offer some of the South’s most interesting landscaping and home ideas. www.bigredsun.com or (512) 480-0688

  The Flip Side: Allens Boots
  At Allens, not much has changed over the years. This store on South Con¬gress was cowboy before cowboy was cool. Go for a pair of new boots.www.allensboots.com or (512) 447-1413

  Hotel San Jose
  This is the spot for Austinites and those who long to be, but you don’t have to stay the night to enjoy this stylish, modern hotel. Go to the courtyard bar for a drink and a quick introduction to eclectic Austin. www.sanjosehotel.com or (512) 444-7322

  The Flip Side: Four Seasons Hotel Austin
  Sitting on the edge of Lady Bird Lake, the Four Seasons is as sophisticated as Austin gets. Luxurious details abound. www.fourseasons.com/austin or (512) 478-4500

  Jennifer Mckenzie Frazier